Culture on canvas: A portrait of Panpimon Suwannapongse by Hua Thanh Binh is on display at the exhibition.

HCM CITY (VNS)— A joint art exhibition by a veteran Vietnamese painter and Thai diplomat was launched at the HCM City Museum of Fine Arts on the weekend to promote Thai-Vietnamese friendship.

Titled Golden Rain, the painting exhibition features 36 works by Panpimon Suwannapongse, Thai consul general in HCM City, and artist Hua Thanh Binh, vice director of the HCM City Museum of Fine Arts.

Suwannapongse's 21 lacquer paintings were inspired by her time in Viet Nam, while artist Hua Thanh Binh's collection of 15 oil on canvas paintings is all about horses.

One of the highlights of the show is Golden Rain, one of Suwannapongse's favourite paintings, it features images and colours that conjure golden raindrops that represent the artist's hope for prosperity and peace.

The exhibition has been organised in the spirit of cultural exchange and friendship between Viet Nam and Thailand to strengthen bilateral co-operation in the arts.

Suwannapongse said she has loved painting since she was just seven years old and this childhood love later developed into a passion for oil on canvas works.

However, after meeting some Vietnamese artists in Ha Noi she decided to develop her lacquer painting skills.

She said that Vietnamese lacquer painting is the best material for her to express herself.

"I depict the culture of Thailand in my paintings, but I use the techniques of Vietnamese lacquer painting. That means I also love the culture of this country," she said.

This is her second private painting exhibition in Viet Nam, after her debut show of lacquer paintings in 2007.

The exhibition is supported by Tira Vanichtheeranont, a Thai collector, who owns more than 2,000 Vietnamese paintings and sketches by famous Vietnamese artists. He recently opened a gallery to exhibit the priceless artworks in Bangkok.

The paintings can be seen until June 16 at 97A Pho Duc Chinh Street, District 1, HCM City. — VNS